The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-21
THE SALVATION ARMY.
Capt. Ella Wright Talks About It's
Work in Savannah


''We claim two to three hundred CONVEX
sions so far" remarked Capt. Ella Wright,
the leader of the Salvation Army here yes
terday, in reply to the query of a MORNING
News reporter regarding the Army's
work. 1.-THE people are slow to come up
and the enthusiasm so great in some
places is lacking here. We are in the Lords
hands, though, and I am sure that He will
help US out. The devil is fighting against
us, but we'll conquer him sure"
The first detachment of the Salvation
Army came here in March, and consisted of
Capt. Rembert and three others The
meetings were rather turbulent at first, and
some trouble was experienced, but the audi
ences began to synpathize with the soldiers,
and finally to cooperate with them. Shortly
after the brass band, consisting of Col.
Light, Capt. Happy Jack, Lieuts. Husband
and Paine. Capt. Herald and Fred Kings
man, arrived, and the attraction of music
increased the audiences, and frequently
so or GOO people were in the hall.
The first detachment was ordered
away after about four weeks work,
and a new band, consisting of Capt Ella
Wright, Maj. Wright and wife, Capt. Ida
Carter and Capt. Emma Westbrook. was or
dered here. They have also six soldiers, and
a probationer in the person of Cadet Emma
Sage, from Atlanta, has just been enlisted.
Capt. Westbrook came over from England
seven years ago, and started the Army in
this country She is the only one left of the
original band. Maj. Wright and wife and
Capt. Westbrook have been ordered away,
so that the present corps is small one.
Capt. Wright says that the meetings were
large at first and the inter
est great Fully 300 expressed
conversion; and she thinks much good has
been done. When the brass band left sew
eral weeks ago the attendance dwindled
down, but now the meetings are better at
tended and more interest is manifested.
IF anyone thinks the soldier of the Sal
walton Army has an easy time, they are
mistaken remarked Capt. Wright to the
reporter. I'VE have to scrimp ourselves
and make every cent count, for you know
we depend upon contributions for our sub
sistence. Not one station in fifty pays its
soldiers anything, and you can see how we
areforced to endure much for the sake of the
Lord. An officer is allowed s. per week,
but we seldom get it.
YES, we have had some assistance from
the Christians here" she said, in reply to
another question, "but they are slow and
lukewarn, and don't come to the front as
quickly as they do in some places"
There are some 200 stations in the United
States and Canada, and about
600 officers. An officer remains at one sta
ton generally from three TO six months
All are under the direct supervision of a
Major and other divisional officers.
one of whom visits each station every three
weeks. The officers are in turn subject to
the orders of Gen. Moore, of Brooklyn, N.
Y, who is at the head of the Army.
A great many people are prejudiced
against the Army and its methods, but from
all accounts it has done some good work
The Salvationists certainly are self-sacri-
ticigg and endure good deal in their work.
The meetings here are held every evening
and a childrens meeting Saturday after
noon. The meetings are all free, but CON
tlibutions are solicited to enable the Army
to carry on its work. Capt. Wright speaks
a good word for the Savannah audiences,
and says that they are extremely quiet,
orderly and seem greatly interested.